The Wisdom of Strangers

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Meghan — Dare To Dream

“No matter how far ahead in the future you plan, unexpected things get in the way. Try to live in the now and enjoy the moment.”

“’There is nothing to stress or pull your hair out about, and if the worse possible thing happens, it will always get better. We need to realize that even the small things that stress us are exactly that, ‘small things,’ so why stress.’

Take a chance, do it now, and don’t waste time. Realize that molds are meant to be broken, and there are no boundaries other than your own mind. So unless it is a physical wall stopping you, don’t over-think it, and just do it.’”

Here’s a hypothetical question for us – in considering it, know that I am not asking for a long log of comments; just think of it as a starting point for reflection; a simple brain test of sorts; maybe even a life check that for some reason I am inspired to propose after spending time with Meghan.

I’m not suggesting a drastic change. No one needs to quite their job or to self-destruct their personal life (although I’ve been there and done that.) What I am proposing is simply this: When was the last time you dared to dream?

So many of our 365 friends have given us countless perspectives on what it means to follow our heart. From youthful energy to aged and hard-earned experiences, to lessons exampled from the school of hard-knocks, this through-line has been a constant. A call that I did not seek after, pre-screen or direct to find, but one that continuously re-emerged in one form or another.

I’ve been screamed at, hugged, offered food, ran from, referred, ignored and embraced; and all in all, every moment, fantastic or terrible, has continued to challenge me to listen a little better, to love a lot more, and to honor the people around me. So with this, I sincerely hope that more and more of us can look at each other with greater acceptance and compassion. Knowing that we are all dreamers in one way or another.

As Meghan had inspired us in her council: “Take a chance, do it now, and don’t waste time. Realize that molds are meant to be broken, and there are no boundaries other than your own mind.”

I’ve taken a lot of hits in growing Operation-365, being called over-optimistic, too altruistic, or not relevant. Charges that I can live with, and supported by the growing 1000s who see the light of Operation-365, I can openly exclaim with a fullness of breath: Every time I have swayed from the path of optimism, or looked away from the council shared by the community of 365, the walls around me have expanded.

Walls that Meghan so eloquently understood; walls that place invisible boundaries, not of mortar or brick or steal, but walls non-the-less. Barriers that each and every one of us has the power to crumble with even the meekest of actions or the simplest of positive thoughts toward our neighbor.

“People, media and society in general need to stop identifying people’s ability or make assumptions as to who they are inside based on what they see. Too many make assumptions as to the history, ability, character or future of a person based on race, heritage, religion, gender, background or other first impressions, especially in this country. I’ve experienced this, being a Hispanic woman living in Southern California.”

Meghan said, “Realize that molds are meant to be broken, and there are no boundaries other than your own mind.”

Makes us wonder what molds we have placed on ourselves and others?”

Per Meghan, “Find out who the person is inside before you make any determination as to who they truly are, and in what they do, or can do, for society.

No matter how far ahead in the future you plan, unexpected things get in the way. Try to live in the now and enjoy the moment.” True, but Meghan, it sounded like you were talking of dreams. Dreams, in my opinion, come from within, and if we are obsessed with what is to come, how can we be receptive to letting go and accepting what brings us the greatest joys in life.

With that a grand revelation stands forward. It’s not always about the path of life, but better, the journey; and it is a journey that we are all on— regardless of race, heritage, religion, gender or outlook. So if we are all dreamers, a challenged is before us, “Do we dare to dream?”